Episode 7152

Extended Summary

Mackenzie is on the phone by the beach, learning there’s no new money in her account. Colby comes along and wonders what’s going on. Mackenzie says she thought her dad would do the right thing by her. Colby offers her breakfast. Mackenzie reminds him what they said last week. Colby says he just meant as friends and suggests going to Salt. Mackenzie says it’s closed and she’s making changes. Colby suggests takeaway from the Diner instead.

Dean and Ziggy are shown onto the boat by staff. Dean wonders if it’s a publicity stunt and Ziggy tells him not to jump to conclusions. Rick greets them on the deck: He wasn’t expecting Dean to bring a plus one but has no problem with Ziggy being there. He says the boat’s a bit extravagant but a great place to relax. He offers to show them around.

Leah gets up and finds both Justin and Ava asleep on the sofa, waking Justin with a kiss on the head. Justin explains he didn’t want to disturb Ava. He tells her about Nina and Brian breaking up and that’s why Ava was upset about meeting a new partner. Meanwhile, Colby and Mackenzie arrive at the Diner flat, with Colby good-naturedly moaning about Salt being closed. He asks what happened with Rick. Mackenzie says he called her bluff on something and her only other option is doing something Dean doesn’t want her to.

Justin, Leah and Ava go to the Diner and Justin tells Ava she can pick what they have for breakfast. Ava chooses pancakes and ice cream. Justin gets a call from Nina and checks Ava’s okay staying with Leah while he takes it. Outside, Justin tells Nina that Ava’s really upset. After getting an abrupt end to the call, he tells Alf about Nina and Brian’s split. He notes Ava calls Brian Dad, which he doesn’t like but he accepts Brian was there for her while he was in witness protection.

Rick tells Dean and Ziggy that the boat is a great place to have parties. He asks how they met; Dean isn’t keen to give details and Ziggy says Dean was there for her when she was going through a hard time. Rick acknowledges that he doesn’t know Dean and says he’s glad to have him there. Later, Rick serves up some food, suggesting they go fishing or diving another time. He goes to get them more beers but pauses on the ladder and listens as Ziggy says Rick seems to be genuine. Dean wonders if he’s serious about helping out Karen and admits he doesn’t hate the idea of having a relationship with him. Rick moves out of earshot and calls Mackenzie at the surf club, telling her that Dean’s on the boat with him. Mackenzie says Rick won’t win. Rick says he already has.

Leah and Ava chat about watching the Matildas play and how VJ used to be into football. Justin sends Ava to get a milkshake and tells Leah that Nina wanted to have a baby and Brian didn’t. They want to make Ava feel at home. Not long after, they’re setting up for a football match near the beach. Justin reassures Ava while Leah sets up the goals. Soon, Leah and Ava, thanks to some rather odd tactics including Leah moving the goal post at one point, are winning the kickabout against Justin.

Colby finds Mackenzie upset outside the surf club. She doesn’t want to give details but asks him if Dean’s likely to be taken in by Rick. Colby says Dean’s no fool but he does want a father. Back on the boat, Dean and Rick exchange AFL stories. Dean mentions being offered a scholarship to the state reserves and says it was bad timing. Rick invites them to his box at the stadium some time. Dean goes to the bathroom and Rick tells Ziggy that she’s obviously the reason Dean’s more together than he was last year, and they need to keep him on the right side, away from Mackenzie.

Ziggy looks uncomfortable and texts Ben, saying “Call me.” Ben obliges and is bemused as Ziggy pretends he’s saying Dean has to work. Colby hears Ben’s end of the conversation and asks where Dean and Ziggy are. When Dean comes back, Ziggy tells him he has to work. Dean doesn’t look convinced but goes along with it. Rick says he’ll have someone drive them back to shore.

Near the beach, Leah and Ava are claiming they beat Justin by a billion. Justin says they’ll have to have a rematch. He and Leah say they’re hoping to either visit Ava in the city or have her come there every two weeks, and she can have her own room now Raffy’s staying with John and Marilyn. While Justin is getting drinks, Ava says he really likes Leah. Leah says she really likes him, but not to tell him. Meanwhile, Ziggy and Dean have been dropped off at the wharf. Dean knows Ben doesn’t want him to work and wonders if Rick hit on Ziggy. Both of them are surprised when Colby turns up and tells them Mackenzie was upset. Ziggy tells Dean what Rick said and says he’s playing him.

Dean meets up with Mackenzie on the beach. He checks that Rick phoned her. Mackenzie says it’s up to Dean if he wants a relationship with Rick, but she hopes the two of them can salvage something. Dean says Rick was using him and she should do whatever she planned, using him if she needs to. Not long after, Mackenzie is making a phone call on Salt’s empty balcony, asking to talk to the election reporter and saying she’s Rick daughter and has some information about him.